Printed by Hot Copy Colour Centre www.mx5club.com.au Founded 1990 press Editing, design and production Simon Corston & Bob Sharpe Mazda Jan-Feb 2010 Club of Western Australia Inside 2 Cutting the Umbilical Cord 6 Bits 'n' BobS 7 Humour Us 9 Event Photos 12 Merchandise 20 20th Anniversary Japan The Stig (Ian Lewis) at Autotest Round 5 Mazda Club of Western Australia Mazda MX-5 Club of WA inc members have reciprocal rights with other Mazda MX-5 clubs in Australia. Cutting the Umbilical Cord here’s no denying the “noughties” have uncertainty in my email, he regaled me with smugly set sail, giving his best guttural growl. Tgiven us many things. Some useful, like valuable advice about different models, along Undeterred, but with a heavy heart, I com- taxis with satellite navigation systems, so you with the gem, “live a lot for now, and a little for pleted the test drive and was surprised to can track just how much you are being ripped later”. find that the 2006 model was not as com- off. Some not, like fortable a ride as flappy-paddle Ralph. Returning gears, according to h o m e , R a l p h Jeremy Clarkson. spent Christmas Personally, the Day g l oat i ng . decade gave me Meanwhile I was a valuable lesson lef t weighing in the perils of up the pros and attachment. cons of a relia- I n t h e l a s t ble, stress-free life, remaining min- versus continued utes of the decade fickleness, fallibil- my much loved ity, spontaneous MX-5, Ralph, had debates with com- perfected the glum plete strangers, moodiness of any waves of acknowl- teenager born in edgement from 1991. An eye catch- other MX-5 own- ing Azure blue, ers, and let’s face it, one of only four love. Just as well in the state, his I don’t have chil- teenage angst had dren, as I suspect reached impres- Ralph—dearly departed I’d confine them sive proportions. to their rooms Hav i ng n u r- until their late 30s. tured him through One thing’s for his first steps, I was surprised to find my eye The next morning a quick pit stop at the sure, if I do get another car this time I’m not beginning to wander like a middle-aged divor- local petrol station on the way to the test drive naming it. cee. At first, it was just ogling newer models saw me confronted with the wily ways of a cor- on the road. Then one day a visit to the deal- nered teenager. Paid, seated and reaching out Glennys Marsdon ership, to investigate the cause of Ralph’s latest to pull the driver’s door shut, the owner of the petulant strop, coincided with them having car next to me grabbed my door and while And here is a follow-on story from Glennys a secondhand model on display - three years closing it said “Gee, I wish I had a small car regarding Ralph’s replacement: old, only 11,000 km and $20,000 cheaper than like that”. Over the years I had come to expect the new models. Ralph was not amused. The conversations with complete strangers. Ralph alph’s Revenge punishment for my disloyalty - he jettisoned had a knack of pushing down social barriers, ROn the day before Christmas Eve, with his air conditioning system three days before thereby giving me the opportunity to meet a the presents wrapped and a drink left for Christmas during a week of 36 to 40 degree vast range of people - snotty young kids waving Santa, there’s only one thing left to do. Heavy heat. That would teach me. as we drove by, bandana-wearing bikies lean- hearted I walked into the garage and set about Three days later, on the eve of Christmas ing over for a chat while stopped at a red light, cleaning out Ralph, my 1991 MX-5. Eve, I attended the funeral of a friend, a car- and police, let’s not forget the police. Ralph Ten years in any relationship creates a lot of toonist who valiantly giggled his way through seemed to enjoy the Booze Bus game the most, stuff, however Ralph’s tight dimensions meant life and his subsequent battle with cancer. On especially if his hard top was removed. I could our ‘baggage’ could only expand to the glove the drive home, sans air conditioning, my almost feel him giggling while an unsuspecting box, the boot and the small space my lack of mind reeling with thoughts about ‘living for junior officer stood swaying slightly, unsure height had created behind the driver’s seat. now’, I found myself back at the dealership what to do without a roof to lean on. And yet Tardis-like he had managed to horde booking in a test drive for the next morning. “Oh, please don’t say that” I begged the a substantial array of items; old birthday cards, That night being the researcher that I am, I stranger who was still holding Ralph’s door parking stubs, photos and the odd gem that set hit the net seeking information about my lat- open, “I’m just about to sell him.” me off down memory lane. Two hours later I est object of desire. The search led me to the “Bet it’s economical” he added, starting a turned off the light and began a fitful sleep con- MX-5 club and, Bob Sharpe. Though my mem- long conversation that saw me extol a long list templating what incriminating items remained bership had lapsed, and no doubt sensing the of Ralph’s good points. Turning the key, Ralph (Continued on page 19) Mazda Club of Western Australia 2 MX-press January-February 2010 All state clubs are listed at www.mx5club.com.au President’s Report ccording to our Treasurer motor sport in you are keen on motor sport and have some Contents Aour club has become big business. Mo- organisational skills please talk to Les to see Cutting the Umbilical Cord ................................2 tor sport events year-to-date has turned over what is involved. ........................................................................................Contents more than $11,000. Even more amazing is that In a similar vein, I am now in the clos- MX-press Jan-Feb 2010 President’s Report .................................................3 these events are fully funded by the partici- ing stages of my third term as President. As Editor’s Desk ..........................................................4 pants without any subsidy from the club. We required by our constitution (and for my san- Computer Corner .................................................4 have already run five events in the autotest se- ity) I will be stepping down to focus on my Features Past Events ..............................................................5 ries with a few more to come. It is a testament preferred role as the MX-press production Coming Events ......................................................5 to the organisers (Les Proctor and Warwick person. Current committee members, who Cutting the Umbilical Cord 2 Gates plus others) that the series has been have a good grasp of the operation of the club Bits 'n BobS ............................................................6 such a hit with members and has resulted in are clearly prime candidates to take on the role January Cruise Photos 9 Humour Us .............................................................7 a big resurgence of interest in motor sport ac- of President. Even if you don’t plan to take Autotest Round 4 & 5 Photos 10 Event Write-Ups ....................................................8 tivities. on a committee role at the next AGM, please January Cruise Photos .........................................9 February Cruise Photos 11 At the last monthly meeting we also held ensure you attend the AGM to see who is run- Autotest Round 4 & 5 Photos ..........................10 a successful Special General Meeting to rat- ning your club. Merchandise 12 ify a change to the constitution as required by You will note that after enjoying a full colour February Cruise Photos .....................................11 Department of Consumer and Employment edition of MX-press this issue is back to par- Mazda News 14 Merchandise .........................................................12 Protection. Apart from being able to quickly tial colour and black and white. You did notice My First Wheels 15 Event Write-Ups (Contd) .................................13 conclude the required business, it was good that, didn’t you? Bob Sharpe has now become Mazda News .........................................................14 Silverstone 17 to see interested members attend the meeting. infamous for carping on about how every issue My First Wheels ..................................................15 The fact that many stayed to be entertained should be full colour. That is because, as editor, 20th Anniversary in Japan 20 by our normal committee business shows he wants to ensure that we keep up with the Membership Update ...........................................15 extreme fortitude on the part of those mem- leaders, namely Victoria. That club produces a Reader Test ...........................................................16 bers not on the committee. full colour magazine, monthly. Yes, they have a Regulars Silverstone ............................................................17 In this edition of MX-press you will see a much larger membership, so, maybe they can Your Committee ..................................................18 couple of articles by Glennys Marsdon discuss- afford it. Importantly, Natmeet 2010 is soon to Classifieds .............................................................18 ing her experiences of letting go an old friend be held in South Australia. You may wonder President’s Report 3 Ralphs Revenge ...................................................19 and welcoming a new one. It is great to have what that has to do with MX-press. It just so Editor’s Desk 4 a new source of material for MX-press that I happens that at the coming Natmeet they will 20th Anniversary in Japan .................................20 expect you will find a good read. Bob will be be awarding a prize to the club that communi- Computer Corner 4 encouraging our new source for more submis- cates to its members most effectively.